The CDC and NHRC said while speaking with journalists that the rationale behind their intervention was to ensure that the state prioritises the passage of the Act through the state House of Assembly. PHOTO: voanews

The Committee on Defence of Children (CDC), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and students, have joined forces to push for the demonstration of the Child Rights Act in Kaduna State.

The CDC and NHRC said while speaking with journalists that the rationale behind their intervention was to ensure that the state prioritises the passage of the Act through the state House of Assembly.

President of the CDC, Abubakar Sani, also implored the state Assembly to speed up the process for improving the lot of children, adding that “The bill is meant for over one million children who are vulnerable to child abuse, trafficking, labour and being denied their basic rights in the state.

“CDC was set up to advocate for the quick intervention of the passage of the child right bill in Kaduna State.

“It was also formed under the Aflatoun Child Rights Cooperative Project, which is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented through Linking the Youth of Nigeria through Exchange (LYNX-NIGERIA) and its partners,” he added.

Also, the NHRC expressed concern over the failure of Kaduna State House of Assembly to pass and domesticate the Child Rights Act, which became law since 2003.

The groups said the delay in the domestication of the law in the state was contrary to international ethics on the protection of children’s fundamental rights and would hinder their development.

They, therefore, urged the government to speed up the process of domesticating the law in the overall interest of the children.